[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 76 (Thursday, June 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1190-E1191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF WOMEN IN THE LAW

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 2005

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the state of New 
York's fourth annual Celebration of Women in the Law. On May 25th, 10 
Western New York women were honored for their outstanding contributions 
to the bench and the bar. The event, hosted by the state's Gender and 
Racial Fairness Committee, is both inspiring and heartening. I would 
humbly like to submit brief descriptions of the careers of some of 
these remarkable women to the Congressional Record. I hope all of the 
honorees are proud of their achievements; I know that I am proud to 
serve as their representative in Congress.
  Genevieve Capizzi has come a long way since starting out as a 
clerical assistant in the Buffalo City court 27 years ago. Due to her 
perseverance and strong work ethic, she is currently the principal 
administrative assistant for the 8th Judicial district. In 2003 Ms. 
Capizzi was awarded the Office of Court Administration's Quality 
Service Award for her leadership and service.
  Chautauqua county Family Court Judge Judith Claire graduated from 
SUNY at Buffalo Law School and has become a pioneer for women in the 
legal profession in Western New York. Not only was Judge Claire the 
only practicing female attorney in the Chautauqua county when she first 
arrived in 1978, but in 1999 Judge Claire became the first and only 
woman to be elected to a countywide judgeship. In 2004 she was 
appointed to New York State Family Court Advisory and Rules committee 
that helps formulate policy and recommends amendments to state laws.
  Helen Ferraro-Zaffram is concentrated in the practice of elder-law. 
Ms. Ferraro-Zaffram previously held a position as a staff attorney for 
legal services for the elderly, disabled and disadvantage of New York. 
Helen was nominated for this award by Supreme Court justices who 
recognized her tireless efforts on behalf of the elderly.
  Ilene Fleischmann leads a busy life serving as the associate dean of 
the University of Buffalo Law School. She is the editor of the UB

[[Page E1191]]

Law forum magazine and the editor of the University of Buffalo Law 
Links, the Law School's quarterly email newsletter. Prior to her work 
at the law school, she was a staff reporter and features columnist for 
the Buffalo Courier Express as well as a freelance writer.
  Retired Supreme Court Judge Rose Lamendola is another extremely 
distinguished award recipient. Judge Lamendola served in the state 
attorney general's office to go on to be the first woman Erie county 
court judge. On June 13th, in 1995 she was appointed by governor Pataki 
a State Supreme Court justice and served until her retirement in 1999.
  Janic Rosa was honored for her outstanding career in family law. 
Prior to her election to the Supreme Court in 2002, Rosa served as an 
Erie county family court judge. Under her direction, the court has 
appointed social workers to assess the needs of families and children. 
She even allows parents to put parenting plans together instead of 
litigation. Judge Rosa's creativity and compassion are both greatly 
admired.

  Anna Scott is a Buffalo Attorney who was an educator for over 20 
years before becoming an attorney. She taught in the Buffalo city 
school and attended University at Buffalo Law school. She was honored 
for her pro bono work for members in the community who can not afford 
attorneys.
  Carolyn Van Schaik, Esq., passed away two years ago, but her memory 
will be immortalized at a residence for homeless women. Ms. Van Schaik 
graduated from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1990 before 
moving to Western New York to practice law. She was a former executive 
director of the not-for-profit organization, center city neighorhood 
development corp. She teamed up with the YWCA of Niagara in Lockport on 
a project to renovate an abandoned historic building in Niagara falls 
and turned it into transitional housing for homeless women and their 
families. Her husband, Niagara county assistant district attorney 
Robert Zucco, accepted the award on her behalf.
  Also awarded were State Civil Service Commissioner Margaret Dadd and 
Chief Clerk Joann Wahl of the Fourth department appellate court in 
Rochester.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to reiterate my appreciation for 
these women and the exemplary standards that they have set for members 
of their profession, male or female. As a strong supporter of gender 
equality, I hope that this celebration encourages other women to be 
involved in the legal system and to seek positions of leadership in all 
fields, regardless of profession. I congratulate all of the honorees.

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